Abstract: Provided are a grip strength detection mechanism, an exercise apparatus provided with the same, and a method for using the same. The exercise apparatus is provided with: a grip part 12 comprising a cylindrical flexible member; sealing members 13, 16 which seal both ends of the grip part 12 to form a deformable sealed space 18 which is surrounded by the grip part 12; a pressure sensor 28 which is held by the sealing member 16 and detects the pressure within the sealed space 18; and a control unit which detects, as the pressure within the grip part, a reference grip strength which is not more than the maximum grip strength detected by the pressure sensor 28 in order to display, on a display unit 7, the grip strength of a user gripping the grip part 12.